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2026 fire inquiry submission: the toll on agriculture

By Nicholas Spandler

May 1, 2026

The Strathbogie Shire Council has made a submission to the inquiry into the 2026 summer fires across Victoria, highlighting the impacts of the fires on the agriculture sector. Photo by Simon Bingham

Agriculture has been identified as one of the sectors most severely impacted by recent bushfires in Victoria’s Strathbogie Shire, according to a submission by Strathbogie Shire Council to the inquiry into the 2026 summer fires across Victoria.

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Included in its submission, the council reported widespread losses across the farming sector, including productive land, livestock, fencing, machinery and vital on‑farm infrastructure.

These losses caused immediate financial strain for farmers and agribusinesses and triggered flow‑on impacts throughout the local economy, affecting supply chains, contractors, retailers and service providers that depend on agriculture.

A downturn in tourism has further compounded the region’s economic challenges, with the submission noting that perceptions that visitors should avoid fire‑affected areas reduced travel at a time when communities were most in need of support.

Livestock welfare is a central focus of the submission, with council emphasising that rapid intervention after bushfires is critical.

Timely action not only minimises animal suffering but also helps prevent long‑term productivity losses, protects farm livelihoods, maintains biosecurity and provides psychological hope for landholders dealing with the loss of land and infrastructure.

However, the submission highlights strong frustration among farmers that recovery assistance and advisory services were slow to reach affected properties.

Agriculture Victoria’s advisory service was established too late for many landholders, forcing them to undertake the distressing task of euthanasing stock without adequate guidance or practical support.

Council says these delays contributed to significant trauma in farming communities and increased biosecurity risks.

It argues that earlier, visible on‑ground livestock welfare support, clearer protocols, and emergency service escorts to enable advisers to safely access properties could have reduced losses and improved recovery outcomes across the agricultural sector.

The Environment and Planning Committee has been told to investigate Victoria’s 2026 summer fires and report by July 28.

The inquiry will look at what caused the fires, how well authorities prepared and responded, and the impacts on essential services, communities and the environment.

Agriculture Victoria’s latest statistics show the scale of loss suffered during the January 2026 bushfires in the state’s north (Cobram, Dargo, Longwood and Walwa).

Estimated livestock losses: